Getting To Know Plants Class 6 Science Chapter 4 Notes

Getting to Know Plants Class 6 Science Chapter 4 Notes are available here. These notes have been carefully prepared by our subject experts, keeping in mind the guidelines set by NCERT. They include all the important information from the chapter in a simple and organised manner, making it easier for you to understand. You can freely download these user-friendly notes in PDF format from our website CBSE Wale. By studying and practising with these notes, you can enhance your knowledge and perform well in your exams to achieve excellent marks.

Getting to Know Plants Class 6 Science Chapter 4 Notes

Plants

Plants are living organisms that grow in soil and make their own food through photosynthesis.
They are autotrophs, which means that they can produce their own food.
There are over 300,000 species of plants in the world.

Parts of a plant:

Roots: Anchor the plant in the soil and absorb water and nutrients.
Stem: Supports the plant and transports water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves.
Leaves: Photosynthetic organs that produce food for the plant.
Flowers: Reproductive organs that produce seeds.
Fruits: Seed-bearing structures that protect and disperse seeds.

Functions of plants:

Provide oxygen: Plants produce oxygen through photosynthesis, which is essential for all life on Earth.
Provide food: Plants are a major source of food for humans and animals.
Provide shelter: Plants provide shelter for animals and humans.
Clean the air: Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, which helps to clean the air.
Prevent soil erosion: Plants help to prevent soil erosion by anchoring the soil in place.

Importance of plants:

Plants are essential for life on Earth.
They provide us with food, oxygen, shelter, and other important resources.
They help to clean the air and prevent soil erosion.
They are an important part of the ecosystem.

Types of Plants

There are different types of plants based on their characteristics and structures.
The main types of plants include herbs, shrubs, trees, creepers, and climbers.
Each type of plant has its own unique features and growth habits.

Herbs

Herbs are small plants with soft, green stems.
They usually have a short lifespan and do not grow very tall.
Examples of herbs include basil, mint, and coriander.

Shrubs

Shrubs are small to medium-sized plants with woody stems.
They are usually shorter than trees and have multiple stems.
Examples of shrubs include rose bushes, lavender, and azaleas.

Trees

Trees are large plants with a tall, woody stem called a trunk.
They have a strong root system that anchors them to the ground.
Examples of trees include oak, maple, and pine trees.

Creepers

Creepers are plants that grow horizontally along the ground or climb on other structures.
They have weak stems and need support to grow upwards.
Examples of creepers include watermelon vines and ivy.

Climbers

Climbers are plants that use special structures to attach and climb on other objects.
They have flexible stems that can coil or grip onto surfaces.
Examples of climbers include grapevines and morning glory.

Stem

The stem is the main part of a plant that supports the leaves, flowers, and fruits.
It also helps transport water, nutrients, and sugars throughout the plant.
Stems can be different shapes, sizes, and textures depending on the type of plant.

Parts of a Stem

Nodes: Nodes are the points on the stem where leaves and branches grow.
Internodes: Internodes are the spaces between the nodes.
Terminal bud: The terminal bud is the growing point of the stem. It is located at the top of the stem.
Lateral buds: Lateral buds are the buds that grow on the sides of the stem. They can grow into branches or flowers.
Petiole: The petiole is the stalk that attaches the leaf to the stem.
Peduncle: The peduncle is the stalk that attaches the flower to the stem.

Functions of a Stem

Support: The stem supports the leaves, flowers, and fruits of the plant. It also helps to keep the plant upright.
Transport: The stem transports water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves. It also transports food from the leaves to the rest of the plant.
Storage: Some stems store food for the plant to use during the winter or other times when food is scarce. For example, potato stems store starch, which is a type of food.
Reproduction: Some stems reproduce through a process called vegetative reproduction. This means that new plants can grow from the stems of the parent plant. For example, strawberries reproduce through their runners.

Leaf

Leaves are the flat, green structures found on plants.
They are responsible for photosynthesis, the process by which plants make food.
Leaves come in various shapes, sizes, and arrangements.

Parts of a Leaf

Petiole: The petiole is the stalk that attaches the leaf to the stem. It is usually a green, thin stem.
Blade: The blade is the flat part of the leaf. It is where photosynthesis happens.
Vein: The veins are the tubes that carry water and nutrients throughout the leaf.
Midrib: The midrib is the main vein of the leaf. It runs down the middle of the blade.
Margin: The margin is the edge of the blade. It can be smooth, serrated, or lobed.
Apex: The apex is the tip of the blade.
Base: The base is the bottom of the blade.
Stipules: Stipules are small, leaf-like structures that are attached to the petiole. They are not always present.

Functions of a Leaf

Leaves have several important functions in a plant.
They capture sunlight and convert it into energy through photosynthesis.
They also help regulate water loss through tiny openings called stomata.

Leaf Venation

Leaf venation refers to the pattern of veins on a leaf.
There are two main types of leaf venation: parallel and reticulate.
Parallel venation is when the veins run parallel to each other.
Reticulate venation is when the veins form a branching network.

Transpiration in Plants

Transpiration is the process by which plants lose water through their leaves.
It helps plants regulate their temperature and transport nutrients.
Transpiration is similar to how we sweat to cool down our bodies.

An Experiment for Testing the Presence of Starch in a Leaf

Take a leaf and boil it in water for a few minutes.
Transfer the boiled leaf to a test tube and add a few drops of iodine solution.
If the leaf turns blue or black, it indicates the presence of starch.

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants make food using sunlight.
It occurs in the leaves and involves converting carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.
Photosynthesis is essential for the survival of plants and the production of oxygen.

Root

Roots are the part of a plant that grows underground.
They anchor the plant in the soil and absorb water and nutrients.
Roots come in different shapes and sizes depending on the type of plant.

Parts of Roots

Root cap: The root cap is a protective layer at the tip of the root. It protects the root from damage as it grows through the soil.
Root hairs: Root hairs are tiny, thread-like structures that grow out of the root. They are very good at absorbing water and nutrients from the soil.
Meristem: The meristem is the growing region of the root. It is where new cells are produced.
Cortex: The cortex is the outer layer of the root. It is made up of cells that store food and water.
Stele: The stele is the inner layer of the root. It contains the vascular tissue, which carries water and nutrients up to the rest of the plant.

Functions of Roots

Roots have several important functions in a plant for example:

Anchoring the plant: Roots help to anchor the plant in the ground. This prevents the plant from being blown over by the wind or uprooted by animals.
Absorbing water and nutrients: Roots absorb water and nutrients from the soil. These are then transported to the rest of the plant, where they are used for growth and photosynthesis.
Storing food: Some roots store food for the plant to use during the winter or other times when food is scarce. For example, carrots, radishes, and beets are all root vegetables that store food.
Reproduction: Some plants, such as potatoes, reproduce through their roots. This means that new plants can grow from the roots of the parent plant.

Tap Roots

Tap roots are thick, main roots that grow vertically into the ground.
They have smaller lateral roots branching out from them.
Examples of plants with taproots include carrots and radishes.

Fibrous Roots

Fibrous roots are thin, branching roots that spread out near the surface.
They do not have a main root and are more shallowly rooted.
Examples of plants with fibrous roots include grasses and rice.

Relationship between Leaf Venation and Types of Roots

Plants with parallel venation often have fibrous roots.
Plants with reticulate venation often have tap roots.
However, there are exceptions, and some plants may have a different combination.

Flower

Flowers are the reproductive structures of a plant.
They are often colourful and fragrant to attract pollinators.
Flowers produce seeds that can grow into new plants.
Flowers are made up of different parts, including the petals, sepals, stamens, and pistils.

Parts of a Flower

Petals: Petals are the colourful part of a flower that attracts pollinators. They are usually the most visible part of the flower. Petals can be many different colours, shapes, and sizes.
Sepals: Sepals are the green, leaf-like parts of a flower that protect the petals when they are not in bloom. They are usually smaller than the petals and are often hidden when the flower is open.
Stamens: Stamens are the male reproductive parts of a flower. They produce pollen, which is needed for pollination. Stamens are usually made up of two parts: the filament and the anther. The filament is the long, thin part of the stamen, and the anther is the part that produces pollen.
Pistil: The pistil is the female reproductive part of a flower. It receives pollen and produces seeds. The pistil is usually made up of three parts: the stigma, the style, and the ovary. The stigma is the sticky part of the pistil that catches pollen. The style is the long, thin part of the pistil that leads to the ovary. The ovary is the part of the pistil that contains the seeds.
Receptacle: The receptacle is the base of the flower where the petals, sepals, stamens, and pistil are attached. It is usually a green, cup-like structure.
Peduncle: The peduncle is the stalk that attaches the flower to the plant. It is usually a thin, green stem.

Functions of a Flower

Flowers are used for reproduction: The main function of a flower is to reproduce, or make new plants. This happens when pollen from one flower is transferred to the female part of another flower. The pollen contains male reproductive cells, and when it reaches the female part of the flower, it fertilises the female reproductive cells. This creates a seed, which can then grow into a new plant.
Flowers attract pollinators: Pollinators are animals, such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, that help to transfer pollen from one flower to another. Flowers attract pollinators with their bright colours, sweet smells, and nectar. When a pollinator visits a flower, it picks up pollen on its body. When the pollinator visits another flower, it leaves some of the pollen behind. This helps to fertilise the flower and create new seeds.
Flowers are used for decoration: Flowers are often used to decorate homes, offices, and other places. They can be put in vases, arranged in bouquets, or used to make wreaths and other decorations. Flowers can also be used to make perfumes, lotions, and other beauty products.
Flowers have medicinal properties: Some flowers have medicinal properties, which means that they can be used to treat illnesses. For example, chamomile tea is often used to help people relax, and lavender oil is sometimes used to relieve pain.

Types of Flowers

There are many different types of flowers, but some of the most common include:

Daisies: Daisies are small, white flowers with yellow centres. They are often used in bouquets and arrangements.
Sunflowers: Sunflowers are large, yellow flowers with a brown centre. They are a popular garden flower and can grow to be very tall.
Roses: Roses are beautiful flowers that come in many different colours. They are often given as gifts on special occasions.
Tulips: Tulips are spring flowers that come in many different colours. They are often planted in gardens and flower beds.
Lily of the valley: Lily of the valley is a small, white flower that smells sweet. It is often used in bouquets and arrangements.